Petroleum Asphaltene-Based Activated Nanoporous Carbon for CO2 Capture and H2 Storage

In the present study, we report on how to prepare activatednanoporouscarbon materials based on petroleum asphaltenes, readily availableand the heaviest component and by-product of crude oil. A thoroughcharacterization of the carbonized nanoporous materials by spectroscopyand thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) confirmed their synthesis. Thenanoporosity of the carbonized materials was displayed by scanningelectron microscopy (SEM) imaging. It was confirmed further by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller(BET) surface area analysis showing large surface areas exceeding2500 and 3000 m(2)/g. The newly carbonized materials'architectural rigidity and swelling behavior were tested by the ghostsolvent low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) approach. Finally,the gas adsorption capacity of these materials was tested. The porouscarbon structures afforded a hydrogen storage capacity of 2.85 wt% at 1 bar, and the highest uptake of CO2 at 1 bar is 28.95and 19.15 wt % at 0 and 22 & DEG;C, respectively. Nanoporous carbonizedasphaltenes are promising materials to be applied in various areasas gas-absorbing and CO2-capturing proxies.